Journals / North Carolina / Cherokee
Cherokee is the southern gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Our first trip ever there was full of the great outdoors, pancakes, and some very touristy experiences. All the classic parts of a good road-trip, right? We visited in the winter during a torrential downpour in the town, as the photos will reflect – but it was still a joyful place to be.
And even though the locals often recommended them, we actually missed being there on a day that the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual were both closed. We also hear that being there in the summer to catch the outdoor drama, Unto These Hills, is a fabulous thing to do.
But with all of that being said, being in the North Carolina Mountains of Jackson County for the winter was lovely. Those towns are Cherokee, Cashiers, Dillsboro and Sylva. We didn’t have time to hit them all – but plan to return!
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EncounterMingo Falls
One hundred and twenty feet of rushing, crashing, falling water made a beautiful site after stairs and stairs and stairs....
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EncounterAngry Elk Brewery
One joy of road-trips is finding an opportunity for real conversations with locals about the things that matter to them. ...
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EncounterPeter’s Pancakes & Waffles
From 6:30 am to 2 pm the syrup flows freely at Peter’s Pancakes & Waffles and as the sign outside...
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EncounterSmoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine
This was such a fun stop. We had never ever panned at a “gem mine” before and it was exciting...